Thursday, July 22, 2010

People are much more familiar with the phrase "CD duplication" (as opposed to "CD replication") because it just happens to be the same process you perform on your home computer. Duplication is also commonly referred to as 'burning' or 'copying' but it is definitely not the same as 'replication'.

To put it simply, the duplication software on your computer automatically copies your selected content onto a pre-manufactured CDR (the 'R' stands for 'recordable'). This is very simple and convenient to do and makes a lot of sense when you only require a small number of discs.

The Benefits of CD Duplication

Because you don't require any specialized equipment or training you can duplicate discs on your personal computer.

The lack of set-up costs, lack of set-up time, and low cost of blank CDR media means duplication is very cost-effective for small quantities of discs.

Modern computers and CDR media are better quality than they used to be, so the quality of duplicated discs is generally higher now than in years past.

The only downside to duplicating discs on your home computer is that it's not particularly speedy, so companies such as CDwest.ca use duplication towers that can burn a large number of discs at the same time.

CD replication is the professional standard for CD production but there are minimum order requirements involved with replication that might not suit your needs (at CDwest.ca our minimum order requirements for CD replication is only 300 units).

When you require a smaller number of discs or you need discs faster than replication will allow, CD duplication is the obvious choice. The quality of our duplicated discs is very good because we don't use cheap economy-grade media and we 'burn' the content onto the discs using state-of-the-art multi-disc duplication towers at slow speed to ensure the best quality disc image possible.

CDwest.ca provides factory-direct CD replication manufacturing and CD duplication services along with an excellent line of eco-friendly print and packaging solutions. With offices and manufacturing plant located in Surrey, B.C. (a suburb of Vancouver) we ship daily to clients throughout Canada.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

There tends to be a lot of confusion between the two types of technologies used in the CD production industry. There is CD replication, and then there is CD duplication - this article will explain the difference between the two processes.

But First... CD Duplication Explained

People tend to be more familiar with the phrase CD duplication because it's the process that you are able to perform on your own home computer.

In short, you use a program on your computer to automatically copy your selected content onto a pre-manufactured CDR (the 'R' stands for 'recordable'). This is very simple and convenient to do when you only require a small number of discs.

The Benefits of CD Duplication

Does not require specialized equipment or training - can be done on a personal computer.

Cost-effective for small quantities of discs.

Can produce small quantities of discs relatively quickly.

CD Replication Explained

CD Replication: Glass Master and Stamper

The first step in the CD replication process is creation of the 'stamper'. While this process is highly specialized and technical, the following explanation is intended to be very basic:

A piece of highly polished glass is laser-etched with the digital data from the client's content master. Note: The data from the client's content master is not altered or changed in any way, it's strictly a transfer of data.

The laser-etching creates pits and lands in the glass in a tightly grouped spiral pattern emanating from the center and progressing outwards.

The Glass Master is then metalized, but it is far too fragile to be used to replicate discs so the data must now be transferred to another material that is resilient enough to handle the replication process.

The metalized Glass Master is electroformed with nickel to produce a "father" master which is a 'negative' image as it has bumps instead of pits.

The father master is then electroformed with nickel to produce "mother" masters which are used as 'stampers' in the injection molding process.

CD Replication: Injection Molding

Now that the 'stamper' has been made the replication of the CDs or DVDs can begin. Again, the process is highly specialized and technical, so the following explanation is intended to be basic.

Optical grade clear polycarbonate pellets are fed into an injection-molder which creates a clear CD/DVD disc in its finished size and shape.

During the creation of the clear disc, the injection-mold forces the molten polycarbonate up against the 'stamper' which embeds the pits and lands into the clear plastic.

An automated process using robotic arms with vacuum suction cups transfer the clear discs onto a conveyor line where they cool.

Choose CDwest.ca for factory-direct CD replication manufacturing as well as CD duplication with a full line of eco-friendly print and packaging solutions. Located in Surrey, B.C. (a suburb of Vancouver) we ship to clients throughout Canada daily.
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It’s certainly fitting that the world was first introduced to the multi-faceted musical charms of Sidney York on Feb. 29, 2008. That’s a special leap year day, and since that public debut at a Edmonton benefit, York’s career has progressed in rapid leaps and bounds.

With a well-received self-titled EP already under her belt, Sidney is now ready to release her full-length self-titled debut album, one destined to grab the Canadian music industry by its collective ear.

Sidney York may be a new name on the scene, but she’s far from a musical novice. You see, she’s the creative alter-ego of Brandi Sidoryk (the choice of name is a clever near-anagram), a highly accomplished musician and teacher in the classical realm. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music from the University of Melbourne, and remains active as a classical music performer and teacher. She took a principal role in the opera medley “Children Of War” in Melbourne and played the role of The Leader in Kurt Weill’s “Down In The Valley” in Calgary.

The seeds for Sidney York’s creation were sown while Sidoryk was studying in Melbourne. Inspired by that city’s fertile music scene, she began writing her own songs, something she quickly discovered was “a really good expressive outlet for me.” This material drew upon a wide range of musical influences and styles, and her healthy eclecticism is vividly showcased on Sidney York .

Trying to define the Sidney York sound is about as tricky as riding a bucking bronco. ”I do not have a nifty phrase for it,” Brandi admits. “It is just so me, in so many aspects. There are country influences from the music my parents listened to as I was growing up in Saskatchewan and Alberta, there are jazz influences, and many of my vocal techniques come from the classical side. I still teach classical and musical theatre and perform classical music, I sing jazz every now and again with the military, and I’m a French horn player. I don’t fit into a category so I don’t expect my music to.”

Yes that's right. You pick the CD duplication or CD manufacturing product from our website and you pay the regular retail price, but CDwest.ca covers the tax on the goods AND the shipping!

If you were thinking that the timing of this special is a bit conspicuous... being that the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) was just implemented in British Columbia... well, you may just be right!

Let's face it, taxes are never popular and this is especially true when new taxes are introduced (even "harmonized" ones) or, heaven forbid, when tax rates go up. So, there you have it... we'd just like to take this opportunity to ease the tax burden on our clients a little bit.

What products apply? Any of our standard products/services as published on our website:

Cannot be claimed in conjunction with other special, offer or discount.

Standard turn-times only, no rush orders.

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Choose CDwest.ca as your factory-direct CD manufacturing and CD duplication partner. Located in Western Canada we provide disc replication and duplication along with an excellent selection of eco-friendly print and packaging solutions.

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About Me

Factory-direct CD and DVD replication manufacturing as well as duplication of optical disc media complete with eco-friendly print and packaging solutions.
When you work with us you're dealing with the company that actually manufactures your CDs or DVDs - not a middleman - so you benefit from the great pricing, quality products and the superior service that dealing 'direct' provides.
We ship daily to clientele throughout North America - and we hope that we can be of service to your in the near future.
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